Today, the Department of Homeland Security terminated the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for El Salvador. In 18 months, approximately 200,000 Salvadoran TPS holders, the largest population living in the U.S. under this designation, will be out of status and subject to deportation.

“To disregard the contributions that El Salvadorans have made in communities across this country by stamping an expiration date on their lives here is inhumane. Salvadoran TPS holders are our colleagues and neighbors, and the economic engines of our construction and service sectors. El Salvador is one of the world’s most dangerous countries and will be unable to absorb the return of these thousands of people whose lives are inextricably intertwined with those of ours here in the United States.

“This Administration continues to make one reckless and heartless policy decision after another. Our economy and communities thrive because of the contributions of El Salvadoran TPS holders, and indeed all TPS holders. We are calling on Congress to immediately pass the American Promise Act of 2017 introduced by Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), which will allow TPS beneficiaries from all thirteen participating countries who have lived in the United States for three years to continue to live and work here while they pursue a path to naturalization.”

Despite the termination of TPS for individuals from El Salvador, those living in certain parts of the U.S. (the jurisdictions covered by the United States Court of Appeals for the 9th and 6th Circuits) may be eligible to pursue options to adjust their status. ILRC urges legal practitioners to review its Practice Alert on Ramirez v. Brown for more information.

The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) is a national nonprofit that works with immigrants, community organizations, legal professionals, and policymakers to build a democratic society that values diversity and the rights of all people. Through community education programs, legal training & technical assistance, and policy development & advocacy, the ILRC’s mission is to protect and defend the fundamental rights of immigrant families and communities. www.ilrc.org